Local government study to be on primary ballot

City residents in the Flathead will find two ballot issues during the June 3 primary election — one to establish a government study commission for their city and another for the county.

The Montana Constitution requires that residents statewide get this opportunity every 10 years. If voters opt for a review, they’ll see another ballot issue on Nov. 4 when they would choose study commission members for the city or county.

Potential changes to county government that could be studied and eventually decided by voters include increasing the number of county commissioners be from three to five, making some county positions appointed rather than elected, or making some county elections nonpartisan.

The study commissions have broad authority to examine various aspects of local government, including its form, powers and structure, and how well it provides essential services.

Qualifications for elected officials, however, are outlined by state law and can only be made through legislative action.

The 1972 Montana Constitution empowers citizens to alter and simplify the traditional form of county government, but despite four rounds of local government review process, few counties have opted to do so.

In 2004, Whitefish was the only local government where voters favored a review and accompanying levy. Columbia Falls and Kalispell voters turned down the opportunity for a local review in 2004, and Flathead County voters overwhelmingly rejected it.